At what point in your life did you decide to take up HR as your career? What were the guiding / motivating factors?

I always wanted to be in a profession where I could make a positive impact to people and their lives. I started as a pharmacist and when I saw that being in HR would take me closer to my purpose, I took my first leap of faith.

HR is one practice that touches human lives directly. Do you think employers and specially HR Professional can play role in reducing stress levels of employees through various employee engagement initiatives?

Undoubtedly, it is the role of every people manager to understand with empathy. Employee engagement activities is an oft abused term, in my view. Reducing stress at work is not merely by playing games at the work place. It is all about treating humans as humans and valuing every individual as intellect.

What are some of the most important employee engagement initiatives related to Music, Art, Dance or Sports that you have taken in your career?

In my opinion, everyone would have an artistic streak in them. All may not be performers, but it is important that everyone needs to identify a favourite art form to find that much required peace and soothe. I listen to music, sing and also paint. There was a time in early days when I used to be a classical dancer.

Do you think time and cost for employee engagements are an investment for the organisation and can help in multi-fold returns?

Employee engagement in the true sense is creating a culture of accountability down to the junior-most employee. It is needless to say that any spend towards fortifying this culture is going to fetch rich rewards.

Do you feel there is a need even to reach out to the family of employees so that they get better connected to the company? Have you undertaken any such initiative in your past or current organization?

Yes, families are what I would call as extreme stakeholders for the employer. Without support from family members, it would be difficult for an employee to take up ownership and accountability like the CEO. In organizations that I have worked, I drove many initiatives not just involving family members as spectators but also helping them in decisions of career.

What is the one change that you would like to bring in HR practice that has potential to boost employees work-life balance?

Work-life balance is a myth that needs to be bust. My appeal to HR folks is to help colleagues seamlessly handle tasks both personal and professional without feeling like caged animals in a captivity waiting to be released.

What are your personal interests in Music, Art, Dance or Sports and how do you continue to pursue it?

I am passionate about music and painting and practice regularly. I am addicted to my morning conversations with the hills and the Sun and catch up with them during my jog.

Any other thoughts you may want to share.

My favourite mantra for anyone who is serious about Making A Difference (MAD) – Don’t worry if you enter un-noticed. But do something so that you exit unforgettable!